Method and system for E-commerce freight management

ABSTRACT

A freight management method and system for arranging for shipment of a load, offering equipment, selling a product, or providing a service from a shipper by a carrier, based on shipping data and carrier data supplied by the shipper and the carrier, respectively, comprising a central processing system ( 10 ), inputting into the central processing system ( 10 ) a request for bids ( 18 ), which includes requests to apply pre-defined rates from the shipper ( 12 ) for shipping a load; electronically transmitting an invitation to bid ( 19 ) for shipping the load from the central processing system ( 10 ) to a plurality of carriers ( 13 ); electronically receiving bids ( 20 ) at the central processing system ( 10 ) from at least some of the carriers ( 13 ) for shipping the load; electronically transmitting to the shipper a bid report ( 21 ) with bids received from at least some of the carriers ( 13 ) receiving the invitation to bids; and electronically receiving from the shipper a bid selection ( 22 ) and notifying the carrier of acceptance ( 23 ) of at least one of the bids.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method and system as a communication utility, freight management transportation tool, engine clearinghouse for specified individual or en masse entered single or group/multiple delivered, specified load/loading/tour, equipment/product/service requests by shippers matched to automatic or individually submitted fixed or variable rates/bids for carriage/purchase, while indicating equipment availability and affording optimization by qualified carriers using an electronic computer system with network access for both shippers and carriers along with integrating related freight transportation logistics services for modal and intermodal service on a national and international basis. The network utilizes individually or collectively the Internet, e-mail, electronic data interchange (EDI), a dial-up telephone network, interactive voice response (IVR), computer templates and facsimile (fax).

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the past, freight commerce between shippers and carriers has involved individual to individual telephone-based communications as well as telephone-based clearinghouses or third party companies employing few to many people to receive requests for shipments and to find available carriers. The shipping industry has relied on many oral communications along with handwritten forms and notes. This has led to widespread mistakes and miscommunication in the areas of load, loading, equipment, routing, delivery, billing and payment information. Such verbal and manual processes have been inefficient, time consuming, personnel intensive and expensive.

[0003] The introduction of desktop computers has made more data available to agents handling shipment requests, but the process for matching shippers' requests for shipping loads to freight carriers' critically important equipment availability and prices has yet to be truly addressed. Present products and systems that indicate fixed or variable established carrier lane rates for selection by shippers without guaranteed equipment availability are quite limited at best and can actually fail at high volumes. Many companies spend most of their communication time and efforts in the very attempt to ascertain carrier equipment availability. In this effort some use telephone and facsimile (fax) communication in conjunction with computer database information. Other systems are known generally to be in development with some recently completed, but these systems, while beginning to incorporate some of the basic portions of this invention that were an integral part of this invention at a time substantially prior to their offerings as components of the initial parts of the full concept development of this invention, differ greatly from the methods, system and capabilities of this invention in very important aspects. Companies are rushing to the marketplace with services beginning to parallel or outright copy certain aspects or portions of this invention but in their narrow view actually exacerbate the fragmentation in the industry. This will eventually create a proliferation of thousands of unrelated, non-integrated web sites causing a communications overload. Their directions lack the core requirements and approach to effect a comprehensive universal freight transportation management communication utility method for shippers and carriers along with truly electronically integrating systems, networks, and users. Even present Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and E-mail approaches just cannot address the requirements to meet the needs in the burgeoning freight transportation communication environment.

[0004] There also exist certain electronic bulletin boards for posting loads and/or equipment. These are still even more basic concepts of communication. The information posted on these bulletin boards is developed using the non-automated methods mentioned above as well as computer transmissions. As with other systems, posting services differ even more so from this invention. Such services typically just list origin and destination cities and states, the type of equipment needed, pick-up date, the shipper or carrier name along with a telephone number of same requesting an interested carrier to reply. Some services also indicate a price that would be paid along with the type of commodity being shipped. Recently some of these services have placed these types of bulletin boards on the internet to access carriers. A few of such posting services also let carriers list their names and telephone numbers to offer their equipment at certain locations for shippers to reply. These are very basic services with non-qualified, non-anonymous yet typically unknown participants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It has taken a very extended time period, an appreciable amount of money and an enormous effort to develop the concept of the full operational elements of this invention that addresses such a unique and never before available total approach with a freight transportation logistics management method and system.

[0006] The freight management system and method is a market neutral, national/international universal computer system/network platform concept, communication utility, load arranging clearinghouse and load/equipment optimization, rate/bid, equipment availability engine for shippers and carriers in the freight transportation industry. It provides a business to business (B2B) internet environment serving shippers, third party logistics companies (3PL), brokers, broker carriers, carriers, freight forwarders, warehousers and other related industry parties in which qualified carriers indicate the extremely important equipment availability and offer carriage or purchase by automatically or individually submitting fixed or variable rates and/or bids to shippers for individual or group/multiple delivered, specified load/loading/tour, equipment/product/service requirements for truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), container load (CL), and less-than-container load (LCL) freight.

[0007] The system allows for shippers and carriers to view any combination of load, tour, equipment, product, and services screens at the same time on one computer screen permitting a true operational advantage in selecting the most advantageous group of components in these related areas.

[0008] Information from shippers relative to loads, loading, products, etc. can be entered individually by completing request forms either by individual keystrokes, by resubmitting previously entered saved or archived forms, either in total or as revised or updated, or completely automatically by the direct transfer of one to thousands of load and/or product files from the shippers computer databases en masse to the system which via application transfer programs will automatically enter the required information selected from the fields of database information, thereby, completing each of the individual forms without the need for any shipper keystroke entries. This is a very important element saving considerable time and effort while eliminating the potential personnel errors in re-entering such individual or volumes of previously entered information.

[0009] This system also affords the integration of the various aspects of other freight management software/internet applications creating a unique transportation tool to address the entire fractionalized/assorted individual freight transportation industry offerings/products including order entry, procurement, tracking, tracing, proof of delivery, order visibility, warehouse fulfillment, insurance, accounting, billing, finance, and other industry services by providing such access through one proprietary industry portal or grand master bulletin board system.

[0010] The aforementioned are crucial elements in providing a usable environment eliminating the need for companies working with thousands of clients to individually address an unwieldy conundrum of multiple individual and/or system computer/internet sites. The system platform provides the foundation on which such enterprise application integration (EAI) resides addressing internal and external process/logic and data exchange requirements, all base keyed to the system numbers interrelated to the individual numbering parameters of each separate integrated application system/network or individual user company. The use of various languages (Extensible Markup Language (XML), HTML, Dynamic HTML, Pearl, SQL, Java Script, C, flat files, FTP, etc.) on various platforms (Unix, HPUX, AIX, NT, Linux, Solaris, etc.) on databases (Oracle, etc.) distributed in various manners (Internet/E-mail, EDI, fax. etc.) must all be able to relate and communicate both data and process logic between sites to effect true E-commerce business-to-business community integration.

[0011] The system's user internet sites including individual, group and master boards, both public and private, reside on a Grand Master Bulletin Board which with passwords, codes, multiple level and area filtering and sorting by such elements as corporations, individual names, load/loading, equipment, product, service parameters, etc. the separate individual user bulletin boards are accessed. This grand master bulletin board concept is an extremely important element in the entire process because it permits total integration and communication between any and/or all of the system users. One user board might have eight (8) columns; whereas, another might have eighty (80) columns. Yet, they still can communicate through the commonality of the grand master board that has an unlimited number of columns (i.e.: The grand master board contains all of the columns, all of the areas, all of the services and offerings from all of the individual boards.), affording total customization of user boards as desired. All elements developed or set for a particular user are part of the grand master board, for any individual site is merely a viewing of a specific portion of the whole. A user's accessibility rights determine just how much of the total board may be seen. Also, the grand master board will be duplicated on multiple sites and at multiple locations all fully integrated and continually updated with the same information affording both system redundancy and site access insuring greater availability and higher speed processing.

[0012] A private system internet site is referred to as a Private Access Network (PAN) as opposed to a general public site for use by individual organizations and their clients and/or service providers. Requests for Bids (RFB) are submitted by shippers to their own selected/contracted carriers out of view of the general public industry area. These sites can be customized for each individual user company. User corporate names and corporate logos appear on these sites. The user's clients therefore address their site for business—the system provides a service operating and maintaining the engine supporting the site but remaining wholly in the background. That the sites appear as the shippers as opposed to the system's is very important for it maintains the individual corporate operational autonomy with their clients, protecting relationships through the utility nature of their own private system as opposed to any third party control which could or be perceived as a potential competitor having an opportunity of eroding the core of their company business—the valuable hard won client bases. Bulletin board column headings can be modified as well as additional columns, screens and form requirements can be incorporated into a PAN. Multiple levels of integration of other application programs are available as well as duel (mirrored) networks allowing integrated shipper to shipper's 3PL to shipper's and 3PL's carrier bases all through the 3PL as the controlling entity. Shippers can indicate to whom load information is sent from one carrier to thousands of carriers, from specific groups of carriers to individual 3PLs (even competitors when such is in the interests of both parties).

[0013] A major carrier could very well be a member or user of hundreds or even thousands of separate shipper and/or third party logistic company (3PL) internet sites with either private or public access on which that carrier would have an opportunity to provide rates or bids to move various freight or loads for individual and multiple shippers. If that carrier had to address each company's internet site individually, such a process would be too inefficient to be commercially practical. Present telephone communications would be more efficient. Such a carrier needs to be able to integrate such sites to allow their viewing on one master bulletin board site for the carrier that can be effectively sorted and filtered along with multiple on screen bulletin board presentations to first allow for efficient handling of the vast amount of information that must be addressed, on many occasions in real time, second to permit desired freight and equipment optimization and third to produce internal time/cost/personnel savings for the carrier. The carrier would be assigned separate member numbers, authorization and location codes for each site, all of which would be tied into one master member number and authorization code permitting the carrier automatic full access to load information to all of the sites with just the main numbers. The carrier's master board would in turn be part of the grand master board of the system allowing the carrier to interact at its discretion with others, even competitors, using the system.

[0014] Over and above passwords and authorization codes, users may choose to encipher some or all of their communications with specific parties capable and desiring to receive same in such an electronic encryption format, as an additional measure of security.

[0015] Methods of communication include, but are not limited to, Internet, e-mail, electronic data interchange (EDI), telephony (IVR—Interactive Voice Response), computer templates, fax and telephone conversation.

[0016] Addressing one representative area of the invention providing a freight management system and method for matching loads from shippers with available equipment of carriers, first begins by creating and then inputting into a central processing system a request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) from a shipper for shipping a particular load. Then, an invitation to bid, rate and or communicate (ITB) for shipping at least one load is automatically created by the system from the submitted RFB and electronically transmitted form the central processing system to at least one or a plurality of qualified carriers. The carriers access the ITBs through their bulletin boards of shipper loads for which they are qualified and/or selected to view and/or available on the open market. At least one of the carriers then enters a bid and/or rate for each load desired which are then submitted and electronically received at the central processing system. One or a plurality of qualified bids and/or rates are then electronically transmitted to the shipper. The shippers access the submitted bids and/or rates through their bulletin boards of their requested loads. Assuming the shipper selects one of the bids and/or rates, the shipper then indicates the bid and/or rate selection that is electronically transmitted and received at the central processing system. The shipper is then notified of the identity and telephone number of the carrier whose bid and/or rate was selected. The parties can then exchange any freight shipping documents necessary to confirm the transaction.

[0017] The system may operate anonymously until the shipper is notified of the carrier identity, or the system may be operated non-anonymously.

[0018] Various methods of electronic communication may be employed by the shipper and the carrier including, Internet communication, dial-up network communication, e-mail, electronic data interchange (EDI), interactive voice response (IVR or telephony) or facsimile (fax) transmission from facsimile machines or personal computers.

[0019] The system offers various reports including an electronic “best 7” report of the seven lowest-priced bids and/or rates or multiples of seven to ship a particular load, a shippers' bulletin board of available load offerings, and a carriers' bulletin board of available invitations for bids and/or rates.

[0020] Online data entry is restricted to authorized users only and data transmissions may be encrypted to ensure security.

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the invention, besides those discussed above, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which illustrate examples of the invention. Such examples, however, are not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore, reference is made to the claims that follow the description for determining the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of the method of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the central processing system and network used to carry out the method of FIG. 1;

[0024]FIGS. 3a-3 b illustrate a simple request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) form of a type that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2;

[0025]FIGS. 3c-3 m illustrate a complete request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) form of a type that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2 with the understanding that RFBs with more or less information as shown in either of these examples of the simple or the complete RFB are possible depending upon the requirements of the shipper;

[0026]FIG. 4 is an invitation to bid, rate and communicate (ITB) form of a type that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a bid and/or rate summary report (Best 7) of a type that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a shipper's bulletin board of a type that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2 with the understanding that additional buttons linking to other service providers, services, shippers and carriers can be included with those buttons shown as well as additional sorting and/or filtering parameters;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a carrier's bulletin board of a type that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2 with the understanding that additional buttons linking to other service providers, services, shippers and carriers can be included with those buttons shown as well as other sorting and/or filtering parameters;

[0030]FIG. 8 is a notification of acceptance report of a type that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2;

[0031]FIG. 9 is a shipper profile form to be completed by the shipper either on paper forms and faxed for computer entry or on a form that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2, both of which are used to input shipper data into a database in the central processing system of FIG. 2; and

[0032]FIG. 10a-10 e illustrate portions of a carrier profile form to be completed by the carrier either on paper forms and faxed for computer entry or on a form that would be displayed on the screen of a computer connected for communication with the central processing system of FIG. 2, both of which are used to input carrier data into a database in the central processing system of FIG. 2.

[0033] Any or all of the aforementioned figures can be customized for individual shippers and carriers with including but not limited to personalized corporate names, logos, column titles, number of columns, cell names, etc.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] The term “bid(s)” used throughout this application refers to either a rate(s) (amount for lane and/or freight carriage set by carrier(s) or set (fixed) by established contracts between an individual shipper(s) and carrier(s)) or refers to an actual bid(s) by a carrier(s) to move freight or purchase products and/or services as requested by a shipper(s) separate from any predetermined rate.

[0035] The term “corporation” includes both companies and individuals on the system which when using the system are considered to be either a shipper or a carrier. A corporation can be either a shipper or a carrier at any particular time depending entirely on how it is using the system.

[0036] Shippers include: Shipper (Corporation offering loads or freight to be moved by carriers) (But are not Shipper (Corporation offering/requesting one or more legs of a tour to limited to) another shipper)

[0037] Shipper (Corporation offering their own fleet equipment to other shippers or carriers)

[0038] Shipper (Corporation offering product(s) for purchase by others)

[0039] Shipper (Corporation offering service(s) for purchase or utilization by others)

[0040] Third Party Logistics Company (3PL) with shipper agency singularly or in a group

[0041] 3PL offering/requesting one or more legs of a tour to another 3PL

[0042] Broker/Broker Carrier/Freight Forwarder with shipper and/or carrier agency

[0043] Carrier (Requesting an Interlining Carrier for a load)

[0044] Carrier (Offering Equipment to shippers and/or carriers)

[0045] Container Company (Offering Full and/or Empty Containers to shippers or carriers)

[0046] Warehousers (Corporations offering their fleets and/or services)

[0047] Carriers include: Carrier (Corporation offering truckload (TL) and/or less-than-(But are not truckload (LTL) service) limited to) Carrier (Corporation full container load (CL) or less-than-container load (LCL) moves)

[0048] Carrier (Corporation moving empty containers for container company)

[0049] Carrier (Corporation address one or more legs of a tour)

[0050] Third Party Logistics Company (3PL) with carrier agency singularly or in a group

[0051] Third Party Logistics Company (3PL) addressing one or more legs of a tour

[0052] Broker/Broker Carrier/Freight Forwarder with shipper and/or carrier agency

[0053] Shipper (Corporation as a Fleet Truck carrier)

[0054] Shipper (Purchasing Products)

[0055] Shipper (Purchasing or utilizing Services)

[0056] Container Company moving container load (CL) and less-thancontainer load (LCL)

[0057] Warehousers (Corporations offering to move and/or store freight)

[0058] The term “shipper” of the freight also refers to the origination party, destination party (consignee) or third party.

[0059] The terms “shipper” or “carrier” also refer to or include both the singular and the plural of each respectively.

[0060] The term “tour” refers to a total freight movement of more than one leg, ideally a round trip allowing for efficiencies through optimization of time, equipment and costs (i.e.: Origin City Milwaukee, Wis. to Dallas, Tex.; then Dallas, Tex. to Atlanta, Ga.; followed by Atlanta, Ga. back to Milwaukee, Wis. as the final destination city.) These legs of the tour can be created through a combination of different shipments from different shippers.

[0061] The system and method services will include but are not limited to offering a unique/proprietary transportation tool as an internet engine/platform utility allowing for the communication of freight transportation information between thousands of participants simultaneously on a national and international basis addressing basic or complete load/loading specification, basic or complete carrier/equipment qualification, rates/bidding on single/multiple loads/equipment/products/services, tours/optimization, equipment availability, and other related services.

[0062] Strategic alliances/partnerships/joint ventures with other companies offering industry internet services will address areas such as tracking, tracing, proof of delivery, order visibility, warehouse fulfillment, accounting and procurement functions will all be integrated into the system through the master bulletin board approach. Complete process integration will address and document inter-application along with user communications permitting the various computer languages and infrastructures to transfer data.

[0063] The system and method as a communication utility will allow companies to address their clients directly through their own customized Private Access Network (PAN) internet sites/corporate logos/identities with the system with or without alliances remaining in the background while remaining open to other PAN's as well as the open networks. The “brick and mortar” companies retain their autonomy and control relative to their business offerings and their clients.

[0064]FIG. 1 shows a central processing system 10 that is connected via an electronic network 11 to many shippers and carriers. For the purpose of FIG. 1, a networked computer 12 is shown for one shipper and another networked computer 13 is shown for one carrier, it being understood that many other shippers and carriers can be similarly connected. These computers 12, 13 can be operated with Windows operating systems available from Microsoft and include a Web browser application for communication on the Internet. Of course, it is understood that other types of operating systems supporting Web browser applications can also be employed. And in alternative modes of operation, the computer 12, 13 are operated with computer-generated or fax-transmitted forms in a non-browser environment, and the data from these forms is transmitted in data files or facsimile files by e-mail or by a dial-up type of network or interactive voice response (IVR).

[0065] In any event, the shipper and the carrier first submit data to initialize the database 14. For the shipper this is largely shipper identification data, shipper traffic department type data, shipper employee size data, shipper revenue size data, and shipper financial data. For the carrier this includes data such as but not limited to carrier identification data, carrier equipment data, carrier financial condition data, carrier service data, carrier service area data, carrier driver data, carrier hazardous license data, carrier insurance data and carrier rules and charges data. This data has been compiled in a database 14 stored and operating in the central processing system 10. Associated with this database are certain groups of logic or program instructions represented by blocks 15, 16 and 17 in FIG. 1.

[0066] A transaction using the method or process of the invention is initiated when the shipper 12 creates and then transmits a request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) 18. The RFB 18, along with the carrier data, is processed utilizing a calculate and find logic block 15 to 1) calculate mileage distances for shipment, if desired by the shipper 2) to find a number of “qualified carriers” that meet the shippers requirements or that are on a list of carriers for the load or load type who should receive the invitation to bid, rate and communicate (ITB) 19, and 3) to develop the invitation itself. The ITB 19 is then electronically transmitted according to a distribution list 17 of qualifying or specifically requested carriers 13. These carriers 13 receive the ITB 19 that is accessed through the carriers' bulletin boards, and have the option to submit a bid and/or rate. If they complete the bid, rate and communicate (ITB)form, this is electronically transmitted as a bid and/or rate 20 to the central processing system 10. The central processing system 10 then analyzes the bids and/or rates by executing logic block 16 to select a group of the “best seven” bids and/or rates. The number of selected bids is, or course, variable and optional, but the number seven is the group size shown in a “Best 7” 21 bid and/or rate report on a typical open network. However, additional groups of seven bids and/or rates can be seen beyond the initial seven (i.e.: 14, 21, 28 etc.) can be shown on private access networks (PAN). The bids and/or rates included in the “Best 7” report 21 then is electronically transmitted to the shipper 12. The shipper 12 receives the “Best 7” report 21 which is accessed through their bulletin board and then has the option to indicate a bid and/or rate selection 22 of one of the bids and/or rates and electronically transmit that bid and/or rate selection 22 to the central processing system 10. The central processing system 10 will, in turn, electronically communicate a notice of the bid and/or rate selection 23 to the shipper 13 which includes the name and telephone number of the carrier, if this is a group of anonymously communicating shippers and carriers. On the private access networks (PAN) the carriers are aware of the name of the shippers prior to submitting bids and/or rates and the carriers names are revealed to the shippers on the best 7 reports prior to the shippers making the final carrier selections.

[0067] Referring next to FIG. 2, central processing system 10 more particularly includes two or more CPU's 24 and 25, operated as database host computers, which are connected to a disk memory system 26 available from Sun Microsystems (Sun), Hewllett-Packard (HP), International Business Machines (IBM), Data General (DG), etc.. The CPU's 24, 25 operate with Unix (i.e.: DG, HPUX, AIX (IBM), etc.), NT (Microsoft), Linix, Solaris Intel, Solaris Sparc, etc. operating systems. The database 14 (FIG. 1) is provided by a database management application program (DBMS), such as the various Oracle versions. The blocks of logic 15, 16, and 17 represented in FIG. 1 include application routines written in the C, Pearl, JAVA Script, SQL, HTML, Dynamic HTML, XML, etc. programming language to supplement routines available for the Oracle DMBS 14.

[0068] The database host computer 24, 25, 26 are connected to a local area network (LAN) including network media 27, a network server computer 28, operating under a Novell, NT, etc. network operating system and a plurality of client desktop computers 29 running the Windows 95, 96,97, 98, 2000 operating systems available form Microsoft among others and including Web browser applications for communicating on the Internet.

[0069] In this particular embodiment, an Internet (Worldwide Web) server 30 is provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP), at sites remote from the database host computers 24, 25, 26. It would, of course be possible, and is considered within the scope of the invention to provide a Web server at the same site as the database host computer 24, 25, 26. And while it is conventional in the e-commerce industry today to provide databases in separate CPU's running behind a firewall in the Web server 30, it is contemplated that the invention could be practiced on a single computer or CPU having sufficient capacity to perform all of the Web communication and database functions described herein.

[0070] For the purpose of completing the description of the third party Web hosting arrangement, the Web site server 30 is connected via the World Wide Web 31 (also known as the Internet) to personal computers 12, 13 located with the shippers and carriers as shown in FIG. 1. The system 10 can also utilize e-mail, represented by e-mail mailboxes 32 at the Web site to transmit files between the shippers 12 and carriers 13 and the central processing system 10. The mailboxes 32 are accessible for periodic access, and uploading and downloading of e-mail through an interface including a T1, T3, fiber optic, etc. line 33, a data service unit/channel service unit (DSU/CSU) 34, which is a computer network to phone line interface, and a Cisco, etc. router 35 which connects the DSU/CSU 34 to the LAN 27, 28.

[0071] The shippers and carriers 12, 13 can access the mail boxes either through the World Wide Web 31 using the Internet protocols or through dial-up facsimile data transfer. In the second instance, the shippers and carriers can transmit a file of facsimile data to the e-mail mailboxes 32 using wither a personal computer 12, 13 or a facsimile machine 36, 37. The central processing system 10 transfers data to and from the Web server 30 and to and from the e-mail mailboxes 32 and receiver data from the group fax facilities 32 of the Web host site, which are also accessible by the shippers and carriers 12, 13. Data transfer can also be direct without the use of mailboxes.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, certain data from the shippers and carriers is pre-installed in the database 14. FIG. 9 illustrates a shipper profile form. In first and second areas 38, 39, the shipper submits shipper profile data identifying the shipper, providing phone numbers, e-mail addresses and facsimile numbers, a security authorization number. In third and fourth areas 40, 41, certain size and financial data is provided. In the bottom area 42, the “shipper” confirms its identity as a shipper or another type of freight business. As used herein, “shipper” means any of the types of listed types of freight businesses operated on the system in the capacity of a “shipper” as described herein. The shippers may also list any companies and/or individuals with whom they will not do business.

[0073]FIG. 10a-10 e illustrates a multi-page carrier profile data form which on the first page (FIG. 10a) identifies the carrier, and provides phone numbers, e-mail addresses and facsimile numbers, a security authorization number, and certain financial and size data. One the second page (FIG. 10b), safety information, insurance information, geographic areas of operation, and types of services offered are provided along with information on the types of loads handled and type of carrier. As used herein, “carrier” means any of the types of listed members operated as a “carrier” on the system described herein. The third page (FIG. 10c) provides a commodity code listing for indicating the commodities desired for carriage. The fourth page (FIG. 10d) provides a matrix for identifying types of trailer equipment. It is noted here that the term “load” as used herein contemplated not only full trailer loads, but also partial trailer loads and container loads. The fifth page (FIG. 10e) provides for entry of carrier rules and charges. The identification of this data for the carrier profile is meant to be exemplary but not exhaustive. The carriers may also list any companies and/or individuals with whom they will not do business. There are also simple and complete Request For Bid (RFB) formats for shippers to enter information on load/loading/equipment/carrier requirements for carriers to review. Each format includes drop boxes for selecting alternative options, eliminating individual key stroke entries for the multiple offerings. All numbers can be indicated in English or metric system to relate with international carriage. Multiple languages can be accommodated.

[0074] Referring next to FIG. 3, the system and method of the present invention begins operation when a shipper 12 creates and submits a request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) 18 to ship a load. A simple RFB 18 of the type displayed in a window of a Web browser page as seen in FIGS. 3a and 3 b. In the upper area 45, labeled “Load Description” are data entry boxes or pull down menus for entering data describing the commodity being shipped, the shipper load ID, the weight of the load and the number of units, the number of times to ship the load (if multiple shipping is desired), maximum acceptable bid or rate limit in dollars, a matching method for determining which carriers can view the RFB (normal (qualified carriers), affiliated carriers (only, excluded or specific), or open bidding (all carriers)), the shipper's last acceptance date and time (mm/dd/yy and 24 hour local hh:mm) for the carrier to submit the bid or rate, the date and time (mm/dd/yy and 24 hour local hh:mm) as dictated by the shipper through which the carrier must hold open the bid or rate, a pallet exchange indication if required, the number of pallets to be exchanged, whether or not the maximum acceptable bid or rate limit should be shown to bidders in the ITB and a distribution list code (references the actual lists of names of those carriers permitted to see the information relative to the RFB).

[0075] In the next area 46, labeled “Load Destinations”, there are a number of rows with boxes and pull-down menus for entering data designating origin and destination (city, state, country and zip or postal code), preferred pickup and delivery dates and times (mm/dd/yy and 24 hour local hh:mm) with plus and/or minus hours or minutes (hh:mm) for earlier or later allowable pickup or delivery timeframes, and intermediate stops (locations between the origin and destination along with similar pertinent information).

[0076] In the next area 47 (FIG. 3), labels “Carrier Requirements” there are check boxes for load type (TL, LTL, CL, LCL), transit mode (air, rail, ship, truck), designation if interlining is allowed or required, type of communications available on the vehicles (internet, satellite, car code, radio, telephone), whether a hazardous license is required, designation if team drivers are required, a check box for driver assistance in loading, unloading and/or counting, and a list box for minimum cargo insurance (i.e: N/A to $10,000,000).

[0077] In the next area 48 (FIG. 4), labeled “Equipment Requirements, there are pull down menu list boxes or check boxes indicating whether the equipment is being supplied by the shipper, equipment class (trailer, pup, container), equipment type (very extensive listing of equipment to request), equipment length, equipment height and equipment width.

[0078] The next area 49 provides a text entry box for further descriptions, directions, addresses, telephone numbers, load and loading information and or specifications, etc.) Data files can be downloaded into this additional information box from the shippers database or files eliminating the need to enter this information via individual keystrokes. Also, individual name, address, number boxes can be added as a customization to the simple RFB if desired by the shipper.

[0079] At the bottom of the form are buttons 43, 44 to indicate done or that the form is complete or to clear the form.

[0080] The Complete RFB has the aforementioned information as in the Simple RFB but also the following elements: additional countries, union or non-union, carrier area (intrastate, regional, national, international), carrier type (common, dedicated contract, exempt, fleet, independent, specialty), carrier annual revenue (1 to over 500 million) carrier class (1,2,3), carrier size (1 to over 100,000), on-time delivery (50% to 99%), damage free delivery (50% to 99%), special services (extensive list), Dun & Bradstreet with CCA rating, Moody's rating, standard & Poor's rating, Department of Transportation (DOT) rating, IATN rating, carrier insurance (auto liability, general liability, combined, cargo, excess liability), Best Company insurance ratings and size, workers compensation and employee liability, van trailers (aluminum, FRP, plate, can), number of trailer wheels, number of trailer axles, extendibles, tandems, doors (overhead, swing, side), lift gate service, number of trailers, heated, sleeper tractor, equipment maintenance (in-house, external), pup (similar to trailers), converter dolly, container (similar to trailers), straight chassis, age of equipment (trailers, pups, containers, tractors), carrier load type experience (years), driver experience (driving, load type, accident rate, moving violations, all in years), driver safety program, drug screening, packaging (cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, wood, bulk, drum, tank, other), load method (slip-sheet, palette, skid, individual, shrink-wrap, strap, shelf, other), size of pieces or pallets (length, width, height), weight of pieces or pallets (net weight, legal weight, gross weight), NMFC class and density of pieces or pallets (1/500 to 50/50), total size of load (length, width, height), method of securing load (straps, brackets, ropes, canvas, pads, chains, gates, other), bulk loads (cubic volume, weight), liquid loads (volume), gas loads (volume), NAFTA and Global Harmonized Tariff Schedule, load and count (shipper, driver, lumpers and time), unload and count (consignee, driver, lumpers and time), requested load bids (times per day, week, month for number of days, week, months), additional load requirements (mobile storage, warehousing, local pick-up and delivery, break bulk, consolidation, trailer spotting, trailer shuttle. The aforementioned are shown in FIG. 3c through FIG. 3m.

[0081] It should be understood that term “request for bids, rates and communication” may include requests for bids and/or rates with more of less than the above-described information on either the simple or complete RFB.

[0082] When the RFB 18 is transmitted electronically to a mail box or directly or faxed, as previously discussed in relation to FIG. 1, an ITB 19 is developed at the central processing system 10 and transmitted to carriers 13. An example of the ITB form 18 is seen in FIG. 4. At the top of the form in a first area 50 is a logo, name, phone and fax number for the proprietor of the invention and a reference number for the transaction. In a second area 51, there is a bid and/or rate entry box, a submit bid and/or rate button and the last accepted bid and/or rate time. The load origin, destination and any stops are then listed in area 52. This is followed by an area 53 with shipper profile information, but not the identity of the shipper. This is followed by an area 54 with load type and transport mode type form the RFB 18. This is followed by any specification 55 on trailer equipment. This is followed by additional information 56 including, the commodity to be shipped, the time for which the bid and/or rate must be held open, the number of pallets involved and with of the load. It should be understood the term “invitations for bids, rates and communication” may include invitations for bids and/or rates with more or less than the above-described information.

[0083] A carrier responds to the ITB 19 by entering a bid and/or rate amount in the bid and/or rate entry box 57, and activating the submit bid and/or rate button 58 to transmit the form, which now includes the bid and/or rate data, back to the central processing system 10 via the Internet or one of the alternative modes described above. This becomes the bid and/or rate 20 represented in FIG. 1. In contrast, when carriers enter bids and/or rates for moving empty containers or purchasing products or services, etc., additional information boxes such as number and unit amounts are provided on other bid/rate ITB forms and must be filled in prior to a bid and/or rate being submitted. These forms can also allow the carrier to indicated how long, by date and time, the bid and/or rate will be held.

[0084] In one variation of this method and system, the ITB 19 is transmitted to a third party/broker in a group of load listings known as a carrier's bulletin board, which is shown in FIG. 7. When a line in the bulletin board is selected and activated in the from in the browser window, an invitation to bid and/or rate for as shown in FIG. 4 can be viewed. The third party can then offer the load to one or more selected carriers, add any markup or service fee and submit the bid and/or rate to the central processing system 10. Of course, where there is not third party/broker, such a bulletin board could also be viewed directly by a carrier 13.

[0085]FIG. 6 illustrates a shipper's bulletin board in which each line represents and invitation to bid and/or rate 18 and a bid and/or rate report 21.

[0086] The simple or basic bulletin board columns, features, system/ network integrations include but are not limited to: 1. Origin/destination city/state, pickup/delivery date/time, stops, commodity, equipment type/length, load weight, price, shipper/carrier numbers and IATN Trans/Log+numbers. 2. Sort load/equipment by column headings in order of preference (i.e.: 1,2,3 . . . 10, etc. ). 3. Filter loads/equipment by actual city and/or state names, etc.(i.e.: Atlanta, paper, air-ride van, 53 ft., etc.). 4. Enter individual loads/equipment by individual key strokes one load at a time or enter multiple loads (10,100,1000, etc.) in batches automatically by electronic transfer from computer databases onto Request for Bids, Rates and/or Communication Forms (RFB). 5. Invitation to bid, rate and/or communicate form (ITB) with additional load/loading/location/etc. information as needed allows the carrier to submit a rate or bid, both which indicate all important equipment availability. 6. Best 7 forms returned to the shipper indicates from 0 to 100+ carrier rates/bids per load request in sets of seven along with the carriers' qualifications, rules and charges, names, etc. for final carrier selection by the shipper. Internet software applications offered by other service providers and/or member (shippers and/or carriers) system users that can be integrated into the system include but are not limited to procurement, order entry, tracking, tracing, proof of delivery, order visibility, warehousing fulfillment, accounting, billing, finance, etc. 8. All files/information can be saved, archived, or deleted as well as utilized to generate reports. 9. Multiple screens can be viewed together to aid in load/equipment optimization. 10. Other users, networks and systems can be accessed through the grand master board via any individual or master board with the proper authorization.

[0087] To Sort, Filter, Save, Archive or Delete on a Bulletin Board:

[0088] The individual selected bulletin board(s) can be “Sorted” or “Sorted and Filtered” or “Filtered” by DATA: Origin City, Origin State, Destination City, Destination State, Pick-up Date, Delivery Date, Stops, Equipment Type, Equipment Length, Maximum Bid, System Number, etc.

[0089] A “Sort” example: A number from 0 to 10 would indicate which column by title (i.e.: origin city, origin state, etc.) is to be sorted on first, second third, etc. on the bulletin board in order of importance to the user for either a load, available equipment, tours, products, services, etc.

[0090] A “Filter” example: The ACTUAL city (i.e.: Milwaukee, Chicago, etc.), ACTUAL state (i.e.: WI, IL, etc.), ACTUAL trailer type (i.e.: van, refer, flat-bed, etc.), ACTUAL system number (i.e.: 970501000601100), ACTUAL shipper number (may include the names of individuals, shipper or department identifications, i.e.: bill145567, ibm557922, etc.) etc. defines in more specific detail the items in the columns to be listed first, second, third, etc. on the bulletin board in order of importance.

[0091] One can also SAVE the “Sorting” selections and/or SAVE the “Filtering” selections and/or SAVE the “Bulletin Board” itself and/or ARCHIEVE same and/or DELETE same by assigning “File Names” to the operations.

[0092] More than one bulletin board can be shown on a computer screen at the same time, either overlaid and/or minimized for viewing. This allows one to treat each board separately but also allows working the boards together for data analysis to maximize the understanding (i.e.: Compare loads with available equipment to find the best match).

[0093] To Post & Select Equipment on a Load and/or Equipment Bulletin Board:

[0094] Just as shippers can request bids and/or rates for hauling freight from carriers (either the bid or rate showing the price also indicates that the carrier has the required equipment available to complete the carriage), carriers can advertise the availability of their equipment and request bids for the use of their equipment from shippers. Carriers place their available equipment along with any requirements, similar to shippers placing loads with their requirements, on a combined bulletin board (the bulletin board displays both loads and equipment).

[0095] Carriers enter information in a Request For Bid format (RFB) the same as shippers enter load information with the exception that in the origin city and destination city locations the carrier adds the prefix “EQUIP/” before the city or before a descriptive area. (i.e.: If a carriers equipment was available in Milwaukee, Wis. and the carrier wanted to move that equipment to Atlanta, Ga. the carrier would enter the following on the RFB: “EQUIP/MILWAUKEE” in the origin city location with “WI” in the origin state location and “EQUIP/ATLANTA” in the destination city location with “GA” in the destination state location.). Carriers can be specific, general or a combination of the two in the origins and/or destinations for their equipment utilization. (i.e.: A carrier could indicate that the equipment is available from a particular state to a particular state by entering “EQUIP/ANYWHERE” in the origin city location along with a particular state in the origin state location followed by “EQUIP/ANYWHERE” in the destination city followed by a particular state in the destination state location.)

[0096] Shippers may then view the board to locate equipment that meets their needs available in type, location, dates, etc. The shipper then reviews an invite to bid for the equipment that shows all of the carrier's equipment and/or other requirements. The shipper then can either agree on a fixed rate as dictated by the carrier included in the invite information or the shipper may place a bid amount that the shipper is willing to pay to the carrier to move the freight. Carriers then select the shipper whose load they wish to move at the agreed price. A shipper has the option of opening two or more identical load and equipment bulletin boards so that both are on a computer screen at the same time. One board can be sorted and/or filtered for loads and the other can be sorted and/or filtered for compatible equipment. The shipper can then make equipment selections most appropriate to the specified load requirements without having to go back and forth between separate screens.

[0097] To Post Load(s) in a Tour on a Load and/or Equipment Bulletin Board:

[0098] Just as shippers can present loads and request bids and/or rates for hauling freight from carriers, shippers can request load(s) from other shippers for a leg(s) of a tour that they are trying to create so as to optimize equipment utilization and driver satisfaction for carriers which will result in savings and additional revenue for the shipper and the carrier respectively.

[0099] Shippers enter information in a Request For Bid format (RFB) the same as shippers enter load information with the exception that in the origin city and destination city locations the shipper adds the prefix “TOUR/” before the city or before a descriptive area. (i.e.: If the load desired was to be in Milwaukee, Wis. and the shipper wanted that load go to Atlanta, Ga. the shipper would enter the following on the RFB: “TOUR/MILWAUKEE” in the origin city location with “WI” in the origin state location and “TOUR/ATLANTA” in the destination city location with “GA” in the destination state location.) The entire “TOUR” in this example might be ATLANTA, Ga. to DALLAS, Tex.—DALLAS, Tex. to MILWAUKEE, Wis.—MILWAUKEE, Wis. to ATLANTA, Ga. This allows the carrier to return to the carrier's home base in one round trip. The shipper may option to indicate a rate for moving the requested load.

[0100] Shippers would then indicate such loads as being available by submitting a zero ($0) dollar amount as the bid/rate on the invitation to bid, rate and/or communicate screen (ITB). The shippers would then discuss how the carriage should proceed by either requesting carriers to address all legs of the “TOUR” via a new RFB or pre-selecting a carrier who works with either participating shipper. The shippers and the selected carrier all win in the arrangement.

[0101] To Post Products on a Combination Master Bulletin Board:

[0102] Just as shippers can request bids and/or rates for hauling freight from carriers, selling shippers can advertise the availability of their products and request bids for the purchase of their products from buying shippers. Selling shippers place their available products along with any requirements, similar to shippers placing loads with their requirements, on a combined master bulletin board (this board displays loads, products, services, equipment, tours, etc.).

[0103] Selling shippers enter information in a Request For Bid format (RFB) the same as shippers enter load information with the exception that in the origin city and destination city locations the carrier adds the prefix “PROD/” before the city or before a descriptive area. (i.e.: If a shippers product was available in a Milwaukee, Wis. warehouse/distribution center, the shipper would enter the following on the RFB: “PROD/MILWAUKEE” in the origin city location with “WI” in the origin state location and the description of the product “HUNTS Tomato Paste” in the destination city location with “NA” in the destination state location.). Shippers can be specific, general or a combination of the two in the destinations for their products. Quantities, size and unit prices can be included on the bulletin board.

[0104] Buying Shippers may then view the board to locate products that meets their needs available in type, location, dates, etc. The shipper then reviews an invite to bid (ITB) for the product(s) that shows all of the selling shipper's product and/or other details/requirements. The buying shipper then can either agree on a fixed rate as dictated by the selling shipper included in the invite information or the buying shipper may place a bid amount that the buying shipper is willing to pay to the other to purchase the product. Selling shippers then select the buying shipper whose price best meets the selling shipper's expectations.

[0105] A buying shipper then has the option of opening two or more identical product/load and equipment bulletin boards so that both are on a computer screen at the same time. One board can be sorted and/or filtered for product/loads and the other can be sorted and/or filtered for compatible equipment. The buying shipper can then make equipment selections most appropriate to the specified requirements without having to go back and forth between separate screens.

[0106] To Post Services/Leases/Rentals/etc. on a Combination Master Bulletin Board:

[0107] Just as shippers can request bids and/or rates for hauling freight from carriers, companies (shippers) offering services, leases, rentals, etc. can advertise the availability of same and request bids or communicate this information to buyers. Offering shippers place their available services along with any requirements, similar to shippers placing loads with their requirements, on a combined master bulletin board (this board displays loads, products, services, equipment, tours, etc.).

[0108] Offering shippers enter information in a Request For Bid format (RFB) the same as shippers enter load information with the exception that in the origin city and destination city locations the carrier adds the prefix “SERV/”, “LEASE/”, “RENT/” before the city or before a descriptive area. (i.e.: If a shipper's service, lease, rental was available in a Milwaukee, Wis., the shipper would enter the following on the RFB: “SERV/MILWAUKEE”, “LEASE/MILWAUKEE”, “RENT/MILWAUKEE” in the origin city location with “WI” in the origin state location and the description of the service, lease, rental, etc. “TRAILERS one-way anywhere” in the destination city location with “NA” in the destination state location.). Shippers can be specific, general or a combination of the two in the destinations for their products. Quantities, size and unit prices can be included on the bulletin board.

[0109] Buying Shippers may then view the board to locate services, etc. that meets their needs available in type, location, dates, etc. The shipper then reviews an invite to bid (ITB) for the product(s) that shows all of the selling shipper's services, etc. and/or other details/requirements. The buying shipper then can either agree on a fixed rate as dictated by the selling shipper included in the invite information or the buying shipper may place a bid amount that the buying shipper is willing to pay to the other to use the service, etc. Selling shippers then select the one or all of the buying shippers.

[0110] A buying shipper then has the option of opening two or more identical service, etc. and load bulletin boards so that both are on a computer screen at the same time. One board can be sorted and/or filtered for services and the other can be sorted and/or filtered for compatible loads. The buying shipper can then make service, etc. selections most appropriate to the specified requirements without having to go back and forth between separate screens.

[0111] For example selecting two representative options, when a line in the bulletin board is selected and activated, the shipper could view the ITB 18 or the bid and/or rate report 21, known as the “best 7” report. The report 21 is represented in FIG. 1, and shown in more detail in FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 5, for an Internet web browser version of the report, there is the proprietor logo and reference number and a shipper load ID in a upper area 60. There is a recap of the origin and destination in a next area 61. The bids and/or rates are shown in the next area 62 in a column format with the carriers indicated only by sort order from the lowest bid and/or rate to the highest in the report. Besides the bid and/or rate price, other data for the carrier profile is included for evaluation by the shipper. The shipper indicates selection of one of the bids and/or rates by selecting the number of the carrier which contains a hyperlink.

[0112] As a result of selecting one of the bids and/or rates, the shipper receives a bid and/or rate selection notice seen in FIG. 8. This notice includes the proprietor logo 65, the proprietor reference number 66, the name of the selected carrier 67, the name of a contact person 68 and a phone number of the carrier 69. The time of selection is also noted in area 70. The shipper can then call the carrier to confirm the pickup of the load.

[0113] In a further variation of the system, the identity of the shippers and carriers is provided on the ITB's 18 and Best 7 reports. In this variation, the calculate and find logic 15 in the central processing system 10 limits selection of qualified carriers to a predefined set of carriers who associate with one another through a chipping organization.

[0114] This has been a description of the preferred embodiment of the method and system of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in this art will recognize that modification might be made while still coming within the spirit and scope of the invention and, therefore, to define the embodiments of the invention, the following claims are made. 

I claim:
 1. A freight management method, based on shipping data and carrier data supplied by a shipper and a carrier, respectively, the method comprising: creating a request for bids by receiving and storing information for shipping a load, offering equipment, selling a product, or providing a service; inputting into a computer system the request for bids, and generating in response thereto, an invitation to bid; the computer system then electronically inputting the invitation to bid to a shipper bulletin board from which the shipper can access the request for bids and the invitation to bid; electronically transmitting the invitation to bid from the computer system to at least one of a plurality of carriers that have been selected according to carrier qualifications defined by the shipper; the system also electronically inputting the invitation to bid onto a carrier bulletin board having information on other loads to allow the carrier to access information on a plurality of loads; electronically transmitting from a carrier a submitted bid or rate, which indicates that the required equipment for the load is available to the shipper; electronically receiving a bid or rate at the computer system from at least one of the carriers; electronically transmitting to the shipper a bid report with bids or rates received from a least one of the carriers receiving the invitation to bid; electronically receiving from the shipper a selection of at least one of the bids or rates in the bid report; electronically transmitting to the shipper carrier profile information of the corresponding carrier selected by the shipper; and electronically transmitting to the carrier as shipper's acceptance of the carrier's bid or rate.
 2. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the shipper requests for bids, rates and communication (RFB) includes but is not limited to items as load descriptions with commodity; shipper load ID; load weight and number of units; times being shipped; maximum carrier bid or rate; method of matching carriers to view load (qualified, affiliated, open, etc.); last accepted bid or rate date and time; date and time until which carrier must hold bid or rate, pallet exchange and number of pallets; origin and destination cities, states, countries, zip code; preferred pick-up and delivery dates and times with earlier and/or later timeframes; intermediate stops; carrier requirements including load type, transit mode, interlining, communication, hazardous license, team drivers, driver assist, minimum cargo insurance; equipment requirements including if supplied by shipper, class, type, trailer length, trailer height, trailer width; additional information box allows basic or very complete farther descriptions, directions, addresses, telephone numbers, load and loading information, etc.; and wherein the complete request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) includes the foregoing and in addition, includes but is not limited to, items as additional countries, union or non-union,carrier area, carrier type, carrier annual revenue, carrier class, carrier size, on-time delivery rating, damage free delivery rating, special services, Dun & Bradstreet with CCA rating, Moody's rating, Standard & Poors rating, Department of Transportation rating, IATN rating, carrier insurance, Best Company insurance ratings and size, workers compensation, employee liability, van trailer sides, number of trailer wheels, number of trailer axles, extendibles, tandems, doors, lift gate service, number of trailers, heated, sleeper tractor, equipment maintenance, pup, converter dolly, container, straight chassis, age of equipment, carrier load type experience, driver experience, driver driver safety program, drug screening, packaging, load method, size of pieces or pallets, accident rate, weight of pieces or pallets, NMFC class and density of pieces or pallets, method of securing load, bulk loads, liquid loads, gas loads, NAFTA and Global harmonized tariff schedule, load and count, unload and count, requesting various types of load bids, additional load requirements including mobile storage, warehousing, local pick-up and delivery, break bulk, consolidation, trailer spotting and trailer shuttle; and wherein RFB's can include more or less than that mentioned in either the simple or complete RFB and/or include other items as requested in individual customized formats; and wherein the RFB can incorporate U.S. Units or Metric Units of measure as well as a choice of languages.
 3. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein creating requests for bids, rates and communication (RFB's) can be developed by revising and/or adding to and/or resubmitting existing saved and/or archived RFB's; and wherein resubmitting the same RFB to different carriers than on the original submittal lists; and wherein the system indicates if a RFB has been revised or changed due to an error or new requirement in the original request as opposed to being a new request by adding a letter suffix to the system number. The system automatically adds the suffix number when the shipper indicates error. The carriers then know that the original RFB is no longer valid and to either bid or rate the revised RFB; and wherein creating a new RFB by revising only a portion of an existing RFB, such as a date or time, saves the shipper time and effort as well as minimizes submittal errors as compared to having to completely fill out a blank format.
 4. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein creating numerous requests for bids, rates and communication (RFB's) can be accomplished en masse electronically from existing computer databases within or remote from the central processing system through the use of electronic transfer programs that mine the necessary information or data for the RFB's from the database files, thereby eliminating the need to enter previously developed database information, via keystrokes, into system formats; and wherein an entire year of freight can be entered into the system for an annualized bid and/or rate; and wherein the additional information box in the RFB can be used to download entire load and/or loading specifications and instructions from a shippers database remote from the system.
 5. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) is duplicated and transmitted from the central processing system to a third party, to electronically permit specific carrier distribution selection along with or without an initial shipper's distribution for the invitation to bid, rates, and communication (ITB), and/or the ITB for shipping the load is transmitted from the central processing system to a third party, who then communicates the ITB to one or a plurality of their carriers, also included in the database of the central processing system, in location within and/or remote from the central processing system; and wherein the system indicates when the same ITB from a duplicated RFB is being offered by one or more third parties in addition to the original shipper by adding a number suffix to the system number. An ITB which has been revised or changed as indicated by a revised or changed RFB in claim 2 as well as being offered by other third parties would have a system number with both a letter and a number suffix; and wherein the third party is unable to change any data or information of the original RFB except for the distribution list of carriers to receive the resulting ITB; and wherein the bids and/or rates for a least one of the carriers is electronically received at the central processing system from a third party.
 6. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the step of electronically transmitting invitations for bids and/or rates (ITB) for a plurality of loads from one or more shippers to an individual carrier all accessible to the carrier through the format of a carrier bulletin board.
 7. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the step of electronically transmitting to the shipper one or a plurality of bids and/or rates which have been received from at least one or a plurality of the carriers respectively receiving the invitation to bid, rate and communicate, the central processing system then creating a Best 7 Report; and wherein the system electronically selects in groups of seven the bids and/or rates based on the invitation to bid, rates and communication and ordering the bids and/or rates within said group based on price, the lowest to the highest. Additional group of bids and/or rates including 14, 21, 28, etc. indicating higher values can be viewed if desired.
 8. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the step of electronically transmitting from the shipper one or a plurality of requests for bids, rates and communication (RFB) as submitted by the shipper, one or a plurality of invitations to bid, rate and communicate as transmitted to the carrier(s), best 7 reports created with bids and/or rates submitted to the shipper by the carriers(s) all accessible to the shipper through the format of a shipper bulletin board; and wherein the bulletin board alerts the shipper of bids and/or rates submitted by indicating the number of new bids and/or rates submitted for each ITB request.
 9. The freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein the individual bulletin boards of the shippers and of the carriers, on open and/or private access networks (PAN), any one of which may have separate master bulletin boards combining selected shippers' and/or carriers' bulletin boards, are all part of a system grand master bulletin board. One bulletin board might have eight columns, whereas another bulletin board might have twenty columns along with customized titles, yet they all can communicate with each other through the exchange of data because the grand master board has an unlimited number of columns and column headings covering all of the individual system bulletin boards. This allows separate and private networks to function autonomously yet still not lose the all important network to network, site to site communication without having to individually access each separate site, of which there could be thousands with which a company is working, and then re-enter or remember information and data from other sites in an attempt to address business relationships. The development of individually customized unrelated internet sites without seamless connectability will lead away from the true communication opportunities of the internet and end up with an arduous time consuming and frustrating method of business to business communication; and wherein the grand master bulletin board will be duplicated on multiple sites and at multiple locations all fully integrated and continually updated will the same information affording system redundancy and site access insuring greater availability and higher speed processing; and wherein the basic bulletin boards have line item listings including but not limited to information indicating origin cities and states, destination cities and states, pickup and delivery dates and times along with allowable time frames earlier and/or later, number of intermediate stops, type or name of commodity, equipment type and length, load weight, suggested or preferred price for carriage or purchase, shipper and/or carrier load numbers, and system load identification numbers. Additional and customized load information items can be indicated on more complete bulletin boards; and wherein any and all bulletin boards can be multi-level filtered and/or sorted by individual names, numbers and/or fields and/or by selectively prioritized names, numbers and/or fields; and wherein any and all bulletin boards can have information saved, archived and/or deleted.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein remote internet sites, systems, networks, and applications integration can be accessed directly through line item link buttons on individual system bulletin boards permitting complete industry services data mining and scalability. The areas to link to include but are not limited to order entry, procurement, tracking, tracing proof of delivery, order visibility, warehouse fulfillment, insurance, billing and financial. Providing a full service freight management approach through one amalgamation of companies and services finally address the needs of the freight transportation industry as never before possible. Process integration both addresses and documents inter-application and user communications, allowing the transfer and interrelating of data regardless of computer languages or infrastructure; and wherein individual bulletin board line item link buttons directly access other shipper and carrier member sites' item information eliminating the need to address each individual internet web site which could number in the thousands for larger shippers and carriers(i.e.: An individual carrier's tracking, tracing proof of delivery data relative to the particular load that has been awarded to that carrier.); and wherein individual bulletin board line item link buttons directly access other internet application service providers sites item information on the service providers system providing a full freight transportation management logistics solution through one site.(i.e.: an internet application service providers system data on tracking, tracing, proof of delivery relative to the particular load.); and wherein individual bulletin board line item link buttons directly access other service provider application programs being used by the application providers' shippers and/or carriers. In all cases each system's numbering identifiers will be tracked through the integration process allowing one load, etc. to have multiple numbers including shipper, carrier, service provider, system and network numbers.
 11. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, equipment can be entered into the system with similar qualifications and descriptions that are afforded load information. This allows carriers to advertise their available equipment to shippers and carriers along with pertinent requirements including price. The request for rates, bids and communication (RFB) for equipment is filled out with the following exception: The origin city and the destination city incorporate a prefix such as EQUIP/ followed by a state: A carrier can denote that anywhere in a state is acceptable. (i.e.: origin EQUIP/MILWAUKEE, Wis.—destination EQUIP/CHICAGO, Ill.) or (i.e.: origin EQUIP/MILWAUKEE, Wis.—destination EQUIP/ANYWHERE, IL) or (i.e.: origin EQUIP/ANYWHERE, WI—destination EQUIP/CHICAGO, Ill.) or (i.e.: origin EQUIP/ANYWHERE, WI—destination EQUIP/ANYWHERE, IL); and wherein the freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, leasing or renting of equipment can be indicated with an origin and destination city prefix such as LEASE/ or RENT/. The RFB with its additional information area will completely address the offering; and wherein the freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, multiple delivered loads can be entered into the system and indicated with an origin and destination city prefix as MULTI/. The RFB also indicates the multiple delivery nature of the request and supplies the required additional information; and wherein the freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, groups of loads can be entered into the system and indicated with an origin and destination city prefix as GROUP/. The RFB with its additional information area will completely address the request; and wherein the freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, tours can be entered into the system and indicated with an origin and destination city prefix as TOUR/. The RFB with its additional information area will completely address the request. This allows shippers and carriers to offer complete tours or if needing one or more legs of a tour to be combined with the one or more legs already established to address circuitous routing and return both the carriers equipment and driver to the point of origin; and wherein the freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, products can be entered into the system and indicated with an origin city prefix as PROD/ and the destination city box used for the products description (i.e.: origin PROD/MILWAUKEE, Wis.—destination “NAME” TOMATO SOUP, 24/8 OZ). The RFB with its additional information area will completely address the request. This option addresses products on the open market, special offerings or through diverting; and wherein the freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, warehousing can be entered into the system and indicated with an origin city prefix as WARE/ and the destination city box used for the warehouse description (i.e.: origin WARE/MILWAUKEE, Wis.—destination 250,000 SQ FT, HEATED, 20 FT HGT). The RFB with its additional information area will completely address the offering; and wherein the freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein likened to a load, other services can be entered into the system and indicated with an origin city prefix as SERV/ or other descriptive abbreviation and the destination city box used to describe the service. The RFB with its additional information area will completely address the requirement of the service; and wherein as an alternative or an addition to the above, a separate column on the bulletin boards can be incorporated to indicate equipment, leasing or renting, multiple loads, group loads, tours, products, warehousing and other services as opposed to a load request.
 12. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein generally on the open systems the invitations for bids, rates and communication (ITB) electronically transmitted to the carriers and the Best 7 reports transmitted to the shippers do not indicate the identity of the shippers and the carriers respectively thereby allowing anonymity of each and requiring selections to be based on individual qualifications and price while protecting both the shippers and carriers from being taken advantage by unfair participants.
 13. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein generally on the private systems or private access networks (PAN) the invitations for bids, rates and communication (ITB) electronically transmitted to the carrier and the Best 7 reports transmitted to the shipper do indicate the identity of the shippers and the carriers respectively as the participants are already associated with or contracted to each other, thereby eliminating the need for anonymity.
 14. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein a third party can initially submit a bid to a shipper of $0.00 or use a decline button indicating that for whatever reason the request has been reviewed but has been declined, so that the shipper should submit the request to another carrier(s) or the third party can initially bid $1.00 or use an accept button to indicate that the reviewed request will be handled and that the final bid and/or rate will be forthcoming, so that the shipper will not have to submit the request to another carrier.
 15. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein bids by carriers for re-locating empty containers can be positive dollar amounts, zero ($0.00) or negative dollar amounts which would indicate that the carrier would pay the shipper to move the empty container. A negative bid might well be submitted when the carrier can use the empty container as temporary additional equipment for moving the carrier's freight during the re-location process, to insure that the carrier was awarded the empty container over competitive carrier bids.
 16. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the request for bids, rates and communication (RFB), and/or the invitation to bid, rate and communicate (ITB), and/or the rates and/or bids (Best 7) are received from the shipper and/or carrier as a facsimile data files and are converted using an optical character recognition program. This recognition program reads the data that has been placed on system sheet that are then faxed to the central processing system that then places these received formats on a computer screen being viewed by an operator. The program stops if there appears to be an error or if the program cannot understand the markings. The operator manually intervenes, and the program then continues. The data is then entered into the next step to be performed by the central processing system in the same manner as if the data had been electronically sent from a computer filled out format. There are multiple sheet types covering all aspects of a request for bids, rates and communication (RFB). The invitation to bid, rate and communicate (ITB) is then sent to those requesting it. There is one sheet type for bidding and/or rating an ITB. This optical character recognition option allows those not on the internet or having computer capabilities to participate in the system.
 17. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the request for bids, rates and communication (RFB), and/or the invitation to bid, rate and communicate (ITB), and/or the bids and/or rates (Best 7) are received over the Internet.
 18. The freight management method of claim 1, wherein the request for bids, rates and communication (RFB), and/or the invitation to bid, rate and communicate (ITB), and/or the bids and/or rates are received in a data file via e-mail.
 19. The freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein the request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) and/or the bids and/or rates submitted from the ITB's are created through interactive voice response (IVR).
 20. The freight management method and system of claim 1, further comprising the step of inputting carrier profile data into a database wherein the carrier data includes carrier identification data, carrier contact data, carrier service area data (states, provinces, countries), carrier intermodal capabilities data (truck, rail air, ship), load type services data (TL, LTL, CL, LCL), carrier type data, carrier annual revenue data, carrier employee size data, carrier on-time and damage-free delivery ratings data, carrier equipment data (type, length, width, height, sides, shape, wheels, axles, doors, heated, lift gate, extendibles, tandems, etc.), special services data, carrier commodities hauled data, carrier financial condition data, hazardous license data, carrier driver data, carrier insurance data, carrier rules and charges data, carrier list of corporations or individuals for which they will not provide carriage data, etc.
 21. The freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein the request for bids, rates and communication (RFB) may include carrier profile requirements such as all, part of but not limited to carrier requirement data as listed in item 15; and wherein the invitation to bid, rates and communication (ITB) can be sent to a shipper's list of carriers regardless of any specific qualifications; and wherein the invitation to bid, rates and communication (ITB) can be prepared by matching data in the request for bids and/or rates with carrier data previously input to the central system to develop a group of qualified carriers to receive the invitation to bid and/or rates; and wherein the ITB may also be prepared by matching the above carrier data in the order of the data's importance or preference as directed by the shipper.
 22. The freight management method and system of claim 1, further comprising the step of inputting shipper profile data into a database wherein the shipper data includes shipper identification data, shipper contact data, shipper annual revenue, shipper employee size, shipper financial data, shipper freight department data (in-house, third party logistics company (3PL), broker), shipper list of corporations or individuals for which they will not offer requests for carriage data, etc.
 23. The freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein the invitation to bid, rate and communicate (ITB) may include shipper profile requirements such as but not limited to the shipper requirement data as listed in item
 17. 24. The freight management method and system of claim 1, wherein the central processing system includes at least one central processing unit, memory for storing a database of shipper profile data and carrier profile data along with all of the individual load, equipment, product, services and the resulting transactional process and system, network, site integration data, and a communication interface to the Internet.
 25. The method and system of claim 1, wherein the central processing system and/or database is located on, allowing greater real time processing and/or remote from the internet.
 26. The method and system of claim 1, wherein individual bulletin boards, RFB's, ITB's, Best 7's, etc. can be customized to the requirements of the shippers and/or carriers. The names, logos and look and feel of the sites, the number of columns, the column heading names, the format boxes' titles, the specific content can all be revised to the specification of the individual users. Very importantly, the shipper and carrier sites will appear to be their own as the system supplies the engine running the sites behind the scenes. While such customization provides the necessary image needs and control projected to their individual clients, all functional aspects and electronic relationships between shippers and carriers and services entities using the system through the individual bulletin boards, the master bulletin boards and the grand master bulletin board remain the same.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple screens can be viewed simultaneously on one computer screen permitting the matching of loads and/or equipment and/or tours and/or products and/or services (including but not limited to warehousing, leasing, renting, financial) to optimize the relationships of and between any and/or all of the of these areas; and wherein one bulletin board would filter and sort for loads (both individual, multiple and backhauls to maximize consolidation and reduce bids and/or rates), one for available equipment (optimizing equipment use to reduce costs), one for tours (enabling circuitous routing permitting both equipment and drivers to complete a route back to the point of origin), one for products (indicating products offered for sale outright or as in diverting), one for each of the various services such as warehousing (a destination for some of the products or load requests). This multi area relational viewing capability due to the master bulletin board concept allows shippers, carriers, vendors, product and service suppliers to all maximize the effect of their offerings.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein shippers and carriers can be included on may shipper and/or carrier member lists on individual private access networks and/or systems, each requiring individual member numbers and authorization codes. For some this could include hundreds of separate bulletin boards. To consolidate viewing to one bulletin board with name identification for individual shipper and/or carrier reference and to simplify site accessibility, shipper and carrier master numbers and master authorization codes will automatically address access through all of the numerous individual member's numbers and authorization codes and sites enabling easy system wide information availability.
 29. A freight management system for arranging for shipment of a load from a shipper by a carrier, based on shipping data and carrier data supplied by the shipper and the carrier, respectively, the system comprising: a central processing system; means for inputting into the central processing system a request for bids from the shipper for shipping a load; means for electronically transmitting an invitation to bid for shipping the load from the central processing system to a plurality of carriers; means for electronically receiving bids at the central processing system from at least some of the carriers for shipping the load; means for electronically transmitting to the shipper a bid report with bids received from at least some of the carriers receiving the invitation to bids; and means for electronically receiving from the shipper a bid selection of at least one of the bids.
 30. The freight management system of claim 29, wherein the central processing system includes at least one central processing unit and a communication interface to the Internet.
 31. The freight management system of claim 29, wherein the central processing system includes at least one central processing unit, a memory for storing a database of shipper profile data and carrier profile data, and a communication interface to the Internet.
 32. A freight management method for arranging for shipment of a load from a shipper by a carrier, based on shipping data and carrier data supplied by the shipper and the carrier, respectively, the method comprising: inputting into the central processing system a request for bids from the shipper for shipping the load; electronically transmitting an invitation to bid for shipping the load from the central processing system to a plurality of carriers; electronically receiving bids at the central processing system from at least some of the carriers for shipping the load; electronically transmitting to the shipper a bid report with bids received from at least some of the carriers receiving the invitation to bids; and electronically receiving from the shipper a bid selection of at least one of the bids.
 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of responding to the bid selection by electronically transmitting a name and a phone number of the corresponding one of the carriers to the shipper.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the invitation to bid is first transmitted from the central processing system to a third party, who then communicates the invitation to bid to a plurality of carriers in locations remote from the central processing system; and wherein the bids for at least some of the carriers are electronically received at the central processing system from the third party.
 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of electronically transmitting an invitation to bid further includes electronically transmitting invitations for bids for a plurality of loads to an individual carrier.
 36. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of electronically transmitting to the shipper a plurality of bids further includes electronically transmitting to the shipper bids for a plurality of loads from a plurality of carriers. 